In the midst of Ukraine's ongoing conflict, sound has become an unlikely source of solace for those affected by the war. Clubs that once pulsed with life now host fundraisers, while parties are being held at front-line strike sites. But it is the electronic dance music scene that has taken on a more profound role, providing a much-needed distraction from trauma and pain.
At Ukraine's iconic clubs like K41, which doubled as bomb shelters before transforming into frontline fundraisers, DJs spin tracks alongside those who have lost limbs, suffered severe brain damage, or been traumatized by the conflict. The rehabilitative power of dance music is on full display at Superhumans, a centre in western Ukraine that treats wounded veterans with prosthetics and reconstructive surgery.
Volodymyr Nedohoda, founder of music charity Victory Beats, recalls a session where a soldier with severe brain damage and limited use of his hand initially recoiled at the sound of electronic beats. However, once he began mixing tracks on a DJ console, pain subsided, and he started to engage with the therapy in earnest.
The EnterDJ programme, a collaboration between the charity and Vlad Fisun – a former editor-in-chief of Playboy Ukraine – aims to teach veterans basic DJing skills using laptops, headphones, and internet connections. The curriculum includes music donated by labels across the world, allowing students to explore various styles, including drum'n'bass.
For Roman Cherkas, who lost both lower limbs in a mortar strike, EnterDJ has become an essential lifeline. Music now serves as energy, helping him cope with phantom pains and depression. After six months of rehabilitation at Superhumans, he began performing alongside the Lviv Philharmonic Orchestra – a feat made possible by his newfound ability to mix tracks.
As Ukrainian veterans find solace in electronic dance music, the programme's creators highlight its broader impact on communities across the country. Yevhen Skrypnyk, chief executive of EnterDJ, recounts how Shum Rave, a techno party, helped rebuild Sloviansk after liberation from Russian occupation. The event has become an annual celebration of Ukrainian culture and resilience.
The power of music in this context cannot be overstated. According to Andreas Boesch, partnership curator at EnterDJ, it is an international language that transcends borders and propaganda, serving as a means for Ukraine to assert its identity and counter Russian narratives.
As the war rages on, Ukraine's wounded veterans continue to find healing through the universal language of music. The resilience and creativity displayed by those who have suffered greatly serve as a testament to the enduring power of electronic dance music in this tumultuous landscape.
At Ukraine's iconic clubs like K41, which doubled as bomb shelters before transforming into frontline fundraisers, DJs spin tracks alongside those who have lost limbs, suffered severe brain damage, or been traumatized by the conflict. The rehabilitative power of dance music is on full display at Superhumans, a centre in western Ukraine that treats wounded veterans with prosthetics and reconstructive surgery.
Volodymyr Nedohoda, founder of music charity Victory Beats, recalls a session where a soldier with severe brain damage and limited use of his hand initially recoiled at the sound of electronic beats. However, once he began mixing tracks on a DJ console, pain subsided, and he started to engage with the therapy in earnest.
The EnterDJ programme, a collaboration between the charity and Vlad Fisun – a former editor-in-chief of Playboy Ukraine – aims to teach veterans basic DJing skills using laptops, headphones, and internet connections. The curriculum includes music donated by labels across the world, allowing students to explore various styles, including drum'n'bass.
For Roman Cherkas, who lost both lower limbs in a mortar strike, EnterDJ has become an essential lifeline. Music now serves as energy, helping him cope with phantom pains and depression. After six months of rehabilitation at Superhumans, he began performing alongside the Lviv Philharmonic Orchestra – a feat made possible by his newfound ability to mix tracks.
As Ukrainian veterans find solace in electronic dance music, the programme's creators highlight its broader impact on communities across the country. Yevhen Skrypnyk, chief executive of EnterDJ, recounts how Shum Rave, a techno party, helped rebuild Sloviansk after liberation from Russian occupation. The event has become an annual celebration of Ukrainian culture and resilience.
The power of music in this context cannot be overstated. According to Andreas Boesch, partnership curator at EnterDJ, it is an international language that transcends borders and propaganda, serving as a means for Ukraine to assert its identity and counter Russian narratives.
As the war rages on, Ukraine's wounded veterans continue to find healing through the universal language of music. The resilience and creativity displayed by those who have suffered greatly serve as a testament to the enduring power of electronic dance music in this tumultuous landscape.
i mean, ive seen videos of ppl with severe brain damage or injured limbs still dancing & having fun after djing for a bit, thats just incredible. whats even more inspiring is that its not just about the healing but also about building community & resilience in ukraine right now its such a tough time for everyone 
I mean, can you believe how music is bringing people together in this crazy situation? Like, literally lifesaving for these guys with severe brain damage or lost limbs. DJing as therapy? Mind blown! 
And the fact that it's giving them a sense of purpose and energy to cope with phantom pains... wow, I'm getting chills just thinking about it 
. The way music is helping rebuild communities too? Shum Rave in Sloviansk is like this amazing celebration of Ukrainian culture and resilience! 
What a powerful reminder that even in the darkest times, there's always hope and light to be found through art and connection 
! i mean, who knew trauma could be so... therapeutic? 
. sounds like EnterDJ is a real game-changer for these guys, helping them cope w/ phantom pains & depression 
. music just brings people together, right? 
what's next? DJs spinning tracks at the front line 
. anywayz, props to Vlad Fisun & crew for makin' this happen 
. I mean, who would've thought that pain could subside just because someone started mixing beats? 
. It's like music is speaking a universal language that transcends borders and propaganda, you know?
Sound has become a weirdly effective therapy for trauma, huh? Like, putting on your headphones and getting lost in a sick beat is way more appealing than staring at a wall with a PTSD flashback 
. And it's not just the music itself, but the sense of control it gives you – like, you're creating something, even if it's just a mediocre mix 
. The fact that it's an international language that can transcend borders and propaganda is pretty cool too 
. But what I find really interesting is how it's not just about the healing, but also about community – people coming together to support each other through the chaos 
.
like can u imagine being at a club that used to be a bomb shelter lol? but for real, its amazing how music is helping ppl cope with all the trauma they're going thru. i mean roman's story is so cool - he lost both legs and now hes DJing alongside a philharmonic orchestra 
djing is basically therapy for these veterans who've lost limbs or suffered severe brain damage 
meanwhile, roman cherkas, who lost both lower limbs, uses DJing as energy to cope with phantom pains & depression 
the curriculum includes music from labels worldwide, allowing them to explore different styles 
! DJs are not just spinning tracks but also helping veterans heal from traumatic wounds 
. The EnterDJ programme is a brilliant idea - who knew laptops and headphones could be so empowering? 
. The Ukrainians are super talented and resilient 
what's not to love about Ukrainian culture & resilience? 
btw, did u hear about Sloviansk getting rebuilt after the russia occupation party? 
! The way music is bringing them together, helping them cope with pain, and even getting them back on their feet (literally!) is just incredible 
they're using music as therapy after going thru so much trauma and it's giving them hope and energy 